The Outside Circle: Busy June 9th, North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame, new rodeo, founder

We’ve been getting a little rain here and there, so the grass is still trying to grow. I feel pretty fortunate compared to a lot of places, some not even too far from here. I’ve been to a sale or two and have seen cowcalf pairs go through that are flat out of grass and look it. What a shame. At least they’re bringing some decent money. We’re a little short of water but have old and new grass, so are thankful for that. It doesn’t look like haying will take long though.

The weekend of June 9th is going to be a busy one! Over at the Weston County Fairgrounds in Newcastle, WY, the Devereauxs are hosting the Full House Performance Horse Sale at 1 p.m. Talk about a packed with quality set of horses, there are horses from top youth rodeo and 4-H horses to pro quality rope horses, plus a lot of really experienced ranch horses. If you can’t find a horse at this sale to suit you, you probably aren’t going to find one anywhere else either. Call Craig for more info at 307-746-2317.

Also on the 9th is the Custer Ranch Rodeo at Custer, MT. It starts at 2 p.m. and I’ll bet there will be some great ranch teams there, representing the good outfits that country is known for. That’s a pretty piece of country to see, too. For more information call 406-342-5579.

There’s a WRCA sanctioned Ranch Rodeo at Lusk, WY, on Saturday, June 9th, at 4 p.m. There are over 10 teams entered and the winners of this event will be qualified for the WRCA Finals in Amarillo, TX, in November. This one will draw the big outfit teams from all over, so, would sure be worth going to see. Admission is free and it’s pure family entertainment. Call 307-334-3417 or 307-334-2545 for more information.

Marilyn Randall just retired from her 20 years as associate professor of Equine Studies at Rocky Mountain College. The program has flourished under her direction and grew from 17 students to 75 during her tenure. Marilyn is also a national American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) director, AQHA judge, and was named AQHA Horsewoman of the Year. She was on the job working to get the registrations straightened out for the buyers in the Leachman horse deal too. She and her husband Ray, a veterinarian, will continue to live at Bridger, MT, and she will still help with the equine program and substitute teach at Rocky Mountain College.

By the way, for you South Dakota Rodeo Association (SDRA) folks, the email for the SDRA has changed. The new email address is sdra@alliancecom.net.

Sturgis, South Dakota’s Wild West Days PRCA Rodeo will be June 15-17. On June 15, the steer roping will start at noon, PRCA rodeo at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday will have slack at 8 a.m. and the rodeo at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday will have a Ranch Rodeo at 1 p.m. On Friday, ticket holders can enjoy a free family BBQ at 5:30 p.m. There will be Mutton Bustin’ on Friday and Saturday at 6:45 p.m. with signup in the crow’s nest. It’s limited to 15 kids per performance, so get there early.

There will be a Cowhorse Fundamentals Clinic on June 16-17 at 9 a.m. It will be held at the Fisher Arena 11 miles south of Hermosa, SD, and Kirk Hall, will be the instructor. The clinic will focus on advancing horsemanship using the fundamentals of the reined cowhorse to improve basic riding skills. The two-day clinic is limited to 10 riders. For signup info call 605-431-3607.

The South Dakota Timed Event Championship will be held September 1-2 during the South Dakota State Fair at Huron, SD. Youth will compete in tie down roping, team roping, steer wrestling, breakaway, goat tying and barrels. Call Jason Eddelman at 605-350-5000. Entries are available now at http://www.sdtimedeventchampionship.webs.com.

The National Jr. High School Finals Rodeo will be moving from Gallup, NM, to Des Moines, IA, for the 2014-2015 seasons. Held in Gallup, NM, since 2005, the climate controlled indoor arena at Des Moines’ Iowa State Fairgrounds was a huge factor in the decision. The rodeo draws 900 contestants from 46 states and provinces. The 2012 finals in Gallup will be June 26-July 2.

The proposed labor rule that would have mucked things up for the family run ranch and farm has been officially laid to rest. The Formal Notice of Withdrawal was published in the Federal Register May 29. So, the head of the snake has been buried. Might be wise to keep an eye out for a different snake though.

I heard good reports from the Maah Daah Hey Stampede PRCA rodeo at Grassy Butte, ND. It’s a brand new rodeo with a brand new arena in the beautiful badlands country of North Dakota. The arena was built in the past two weeks and there weren’t bleachers or grandstands yet, but the crowd didn’t mind sitting on the grassy slopes to watch. It was a little rainy and muddy, but it was a great show with top contestants and stock and a good purse up for grabs. Results from the rodeo are elsewhere in this paper.

I haven’t nagged you good folks about watching for grass founder in your horses, ponies, mules and burros lately. You knew it couldn’t last. I’m hearing about founder from several people and hope that you’re watching your equine friends for symptoms. If they are already on the overfat order, watch out for symptoms, which include standing with the front feet stretched forward, laying down frequently, and lameness in front limbs. If you see symptoms, get them off of the grass immediately, call your vet for instructions, and get some bute in them for the inflammation. It’s always a good idea to have some bute on hand anyway. Founder doesn’t have to be a death sentence, but will be without proper care.

I hope it’s raining on you, wherever you are. Be sure and send me any items you’d like to see in this column.